Letters to the Editor - The Millerton News - 1-14-21

Trump mob ‘traitors’

Not since the American Civil War have so many citizens of the freest nation on Earth so enthusiastically and despicably defiled the Constitution. The domestic terrorists who stormed the Capitol are traitors to democracy. 

America has long been a shining city on a hill for nations across the globe as they strive to shed authoritarian regimes and we must return to the respectful debates that made that true. 

I applaud Congress for not bending under the threat of physical violence and finishing the certification of the free and fair election. I’ll be watching President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration as the peaceful transition of power occurs and hope a simultaneous transition to a more gentle nation begins. 

However, we all must acknowledge that these types of actions and mind-sets are not geographically restricted to the area surrounding Washington, D.C., as it has permeated into every community in every corner of this country. 

As a local elected official, it is my duty to speak the truth, have constructive debates and strengthen the bonds of our community. 

I know Dutchess County has many leaders who will join me and live up to that task.

A. Gregg Pulver

Chairman of the Dutchess County Legislature (R-19)

Pine Plains

An open letter from Molinaro to Gov. Cuomo

Although prioritization is important based on the limited availability of the COVID-19 vaccine at this time, it is critical that law enforcement officers, corrections officers, firefighters, ambulance personnel and other first responders not covered by the current New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) guidance be added to the list immediately. Providing this group with the vaccine as soon as possible will better help to protect them while they conduct their essential work as well as the individuals they serve. First responders are working in our communities and providing face to face services every day, they put themselves at great risk to serve the people of their communities, I believe we must do everything in our power to protect them and those they serve. Leaving these groups to wait is a serious miscalculation and would be detrimental to the public’s health and wellbeing. 

Further, making the vaccine immediately available to this larger, yet still, essential population, will allow for a faster and more efficient vaccination campaign. NYSDOH guidance and your own draconian policies are requiring vaccine providers to move more quickly and get more shots in the arms of individuals or risk having their access  to the vaccine removed. The failure here is not on the part of the vaccine providers, but on an overly complex and complicated system which hospitals are not built, trained or equipped to carry out on their own. However, broadening the priority group to such first responders and in general will allow greater flexibility for vaccine providers, thereby speeding up the process and ensuring no doses are left on the shelf. Local vaccine providers have voiced concerns that the lack of flexibility and the overly narrow priority groups are slowing the process and leaving vaccine allotments sitting unused for longer than is necessary.

Additionally, my administration, including the local health department, have been pressing state officials, both those who partake in our regional calls as well NYSDOH officials, for detailed information on the distribution of the vaccine. To date, we have not received this information, but continue to believe it is of utmost importance as it will allow local hospitals, healthcare providers and the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health to monitor the vaccination program locally. The most pertinent of this information is as follows:

• How many doses have been received from the federal government?

• How many doses have been received from the vaccine developers directly?

• How many doses have been distributed within Dutchess County and how many remain unused?

Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide. Be safe. Be well. We are all in this together.

Marc Molinaro

Dutchess County Executive

Red Hook